...

Taliban Chief Declares Criticism of Officials a Crime, Imposes Punishments

Taliban criminalizes criticism of officials, imposing fines and imprisonment for citizens and media in Afghanistan.

1 min read

Taliban restricts criticism of officials

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issues a decree criminalizing criticism of Taliban officials and media outlets, further restricting freedom of expression in Afghanistan.[IC: AFF]

January 6, 2026

Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, issued a new decree declaring any criticism of Taliban officials a formal crime in Afghanistan. According to the decree released two days ago, citizens and media organizations are prohibited from criticizing Taliban members and government officials, and violators will face severe punishments.

The decree states that “unfounded” or “false” criticism will be considered a crime, punishable by imprisonment, fines, and other penalties. It also specifies that insulting Taliban personnel, including damaging their uniforms, is a punishable offense. During judicial proceedings, those who disrupt court operations or insult the court may face Legal action, although courts retain the discretion to grant pardons.

According to the Taliban leader, the decree applies immediately to all Afghan citizens, Taliban members, and media organizations. However, the decree does not clarify the criteria for determining whether criticism is unfounded or false, leaving the Taliban with sole authority to decide which statements are factual and which are considered accusations. Observers view this move as another restriction on freedom of expression.

Read more :https://htnworld.com/taliban-violence-afghan-protests/

Related Articles

White House praises Pakistan’s role in Iran US talks as Islamabad emerges as the likely venue for the next round of negotiations.
Cross border shelling in Bajaur kills a woman and two children as tensions rise following a failed infiltration attempt
Global backlash follows remarks by a former Indian officer on Gaza, with diplomatic criticism and international reactions.
A Russian expert praises Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, highlighting its growing role as a trusted mediator in global affairs.

Post a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Seraphinite AcceleratorOptimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Turns on site high speed to be attractive for people and search engines.